Door-control means for elevators



Nov. 13, 1928.

H. w. sHoNNARD DOOR CONTROL MEANS FOR ELEVATORS Filed Dec. 15, 1927 4 sheets-sheet l AE Va/5; XXXV/A SZ -l 23: H V/QAX MILK n W wlw/ c wN X 4d llw Z m ,Ll F wawomow WWE Y E E e p/ Nov. 13, 1928.

H. W. SHONNARD DOOR CONTROL MEANS FOR ELEVATORS 4 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Dec. 15, '1927 Nov; 13, 1928.

H. W. SHONNARD DOOR CONTROL MEANS FOR ELEVATORS 'Fi1ed`Deo- 15. 1927 4 sheets-sheet 5 Nov. 13,1928.'

H. W. SHONNARD l DOOR CONTROL MEANS FOR ELEVATORS 7 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Deo. 15. 192

Patented Nov. 13, 1928.

UNITED I STATE-s1 mLRoLn w.' sHoNNARD, or MoN'rcLAIR, NEW JERsnLAssrcNoR ro nLnvA'roR sur- RLIEs COMPANY,- INc., or noRoREN, NEW JERSEY, A coRroRa'rroN or NEW JRR- SEY.'

nooR-coN'rRoL MEANS ron nmiva'rons.

Application lied December 15, 1927. Serial No; 240,305.

of the elevator gate operating memberto the associated landing doors and the` landingv door operating members, `and secondly the provision of a novel arrangement and meth-` l od of operation of the parts involved in the system, as will become moreA apparent from the study of the following description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: f i

Figure 1 presents a view fin elevation taken from within the elevator and showing they elevator gate and the landing doors at one landing,'together with the operating means therefor. g p

Figure 2 shows arview in elevation of a part of the operating means shown in Figure 1 and comprising principally the means for effecting the transmission of motion from the elevator gate operating means to lthe landing `door operating means; the view be'- ing on a scale somewhat 'larger than the scale of 'Figure' 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view, partly in section along line 3-3 of Figure 2,I of" the partsshown in Figure 2. v l y Figure 4 is a view of the parts of Figures 2 and 3 as they appear when the doors arel fully open. g

Figure 5 is a diagram showing schematically the preferred arrangement and method way 2, the elevator being provided with Suit- ,embodiment, as shown in Fi .shaped vnately t evswitch arms 26fan'd 27 to open `able suspension means (not shown) adapted to be controlled from the elevator hoisting motor (whose armature H is shown schematically in Figure 5). The elevator hoisting motor is in turn ada ted to be controlled through circuits (not s own) operable by the Imanipulation of the elevator operators control lever, or car switch, as it is commonly termed in the art, shown at 6 in -F' re 1.

The elevator 1 is provided with a gate 7, and as illustrated inFigurejl the gate is shown as of the collapsible type; but obviously other constructions may be employed. A gite'operating'arm 8 -is shown connectin wit the vertically disposed outer plate .9.o

the gate? by means of a link 10 and pin 11.

This operating arm 8 isadapted to be oscillated back and forth to effect opening and closing movements of the elevator ate 7, the means preferably employed .for eecting this oscillation consistin of an adjustable 4rockerplate 12 anchore preferably tothe roof of the elevatoras indicated at 13, atu

which location the arm 8 is ailixed thereto, preferably bythe provision of a pivot pin 15.y This rocker plate 12 is in ,turn adapted to be .oscillated or rocked in response to the power transmitting means in the preferred re 1, consisting of a trainof gears 17, 18, 19 and 20, a shaft 21 on which the gear 20 is mounted, a cran-k 22, and a Vconnectin link 23. The gear 20 is preferablyA provi ed kwith a camortion 24 adapted to actuate alterthe switches OL and CL respectively, as the gear rotates first in one direction and then the other. The function of these switches will appear hereinafter.

Also, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, means are provided for cushioning the final movement of the elevator gate alternate rotations of the prime mover; the I and the associated landing doors as vthey approach theA final stage of movement in either the opening or closing direction. As shown in Figure 1 such. means consists of a doubleacting liquid check 25, in which a member is connected so as to vhave a movement corresponding to that of the gear' 20 and prime mover 16. This .member has associated therewith means forretarding its progress during its final stage of movement -in each direction. The structure of this cushioning mechanism may, of course, vary to suit the circumstances attending any particular installation, the liquid check just described being that type disclosed and claimed in my co-pending application for an adjustable door operator, Serial No. 93,086,1iled March 8th, 1926.

- Each landing at which the elevator 1 may stop is provided with a. door or doors preferably of the type shown at the landing indicated in Figure 1, where a door is shown consisting of two sections 28 and 29 adapted to slide along in their own planes and in parallel paths to effect an opening and closing of t-he hatchway 2 at that landing. These doors 28 and 29 are shown in the preferred embodiment as provided with operating arms 30, 3l and 32, or toggle levers as they are commonly termed in the art. As shown, the toggley lever 30 is pivotally mounted on a plate 34 attached to the door 28 at one end, and at the other end is connected by means of a pivot pin 36 to the outer end of the lever 31. Lever 31 is in turn pivotally mounted at a point intermediate its end to a bracket or knee-38 attached to the edge of door` 29. The other end of the lever 31 is pivotally connected by means of a pin 40 to the outer end of the` lever 32, which is in turn connected `at its inner end to a bearing lug 41 mounted on the wall of the shaftway 2 in such a manner as to permit the lever 32 to be swung about the said lug 41 in an upward direction.

With this arrangement it is evident that any motion tending to bend the toggle levers 30 and 3l downward at their point of connection 36 will cause a corresponding upward motion of the right-liand end of the lever 31 and of the lever 32. Furthermore, thisL movement of the toggle levers will draw doors 28 and 29 to the right to permit access to the elevator 1 when stopped at the landing referred to, such motion being imparted to the door 28 through the connecting member 34, and to the door 29 through the connecting bracket 38.

The preferred means for imparting such opening motion to the toggle levers 30 and 31 and consequently to the doors 28 and 29 comprises, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, a clutching mechanism consisting of a channel shaped member 5() extending vertically along the plate member 9 of the elevator gate 7 and having its upper and lower portions fiared outwardly asl indicated at 51 and 52 for a purpose presently to appear. This clutching member 50 is shown as attached to the said plate 9 preferably Aby the provision of the pin 11. This pin 11 is also utilized as heretofore indicated, as a bearing pin about which the link 10 connecting with the gate operating arm 8 may turn in response t0 o eration of the prime mover 16. To facilitate ready translation .of this oscillata backward and forward horizontal movement of the clutch channel 50, a roller bearing construction as indicated at 56 is employed.

Adapted to be engaged in the pocket of the channel member 50 when the ycar 1 arrivesopposite thereto from either direction is a i'oller 60 connecting with the toggle lever 30 by means of a suitable angular bracket or bell crank 61, in which the roller 60 is free to turn about its own center pin 62, the latter' being in turn eccentrically mounted on the circular stud 63 to which the bell crank (S1 is secured byiineans of a nut 64. This eccentric construction permits of adjustment to insure perfect alignment of all rollers along the hatchway 2 with the channel 50. It is thus possible to so adjust the roller at the various landings along the hatchway 2, corresponding to the roller 60 at the landing illustrated in the drawings, that the elevator 1 may pass up and down the hatchway without any collision or Contact taking place between the sides of the channel member 50 and the successive rollers along the hatch similar to the roller 60. To assist in securing such a desirable result a slight clearance, as indicated in Figure 2, is allowed between the'roller 60. and the Vedges of the channel member 50. Vith this arrangement it will be apparent that Contact between the channel member 50 and the roller 60 will occur only when the elevator stops opposite the said roller 60 and an opening movement is imparted to the gate k7 thru the operation of the gate operating motor 16.

T he bell crank 61 constitutes the means for causing the motion thus imparted to the roller 6() to be transferred to the toggle lever 30 and the doors 28 and 29 to cause the downward swing of the said toggde lever and a corresponding sliding movement of the doors 28 and 29 toward the open position. f

In connection with the door driving mechanism just described, attention is directed to the advantages which the construction shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4 enjoy over former constructions employed for an equivalent pui'- pose. By the use of the link 10 pivoted to swing freely at either end, the lared channel 50 and the eccentrically mounted roller 60, the possibility of any serious disalignment between the members mounted in the hatchway and those on the elevator is eliininatechfas is likewise the possibility of 'any collision between such parts. Furthermore, by the use of a construction whereby the door operating force is applied to a swinging lever, such as the bell crank 61 or lever 30,- a far greater smoothness and flexibility of operation is attained with a far less expenditure of effort. than is relll) 'quired' when the force is directed against the hat'chway doors directly-and here again thepossibility of straining or distorting any mechanism associated with the doors 1s reduced to a minimum, l

Having now described the principal mechanical parts involved, the electrical parts and circuits remain to be considered.

These are not claimed herein however, for

lthe reason that they constitute part. of the subject matter of the co-pendino application, Serial No. 240,304, tiled joint-ly by Harold J. Fear and myself, on even date herewith, and bearlnga similar title. The invention herein clai1ned,however, is preferably (though not necessarily) employed in conjunction with electrical and electro-mechanical control means of the type shown in Fig. 5, and, therefore, a. descriptionof such control means is included herein.

Referring to Figure 5 reference character 103 designates a relay used for controlling the initiaton of operation of the electrical prime mover 16. As shown in Figure 5 by way of illustrationof` the preferred embodiment the relay 103 is inserted in a circuit passing from the trunk feeds 101 and 102 through a set of contacts 105 and 106 preferably located wthin the elevatorl in such a position as to be normally closed while the operators control lever- 6 is in either running position; in other words, the circuit to the relay 103 is closed at the points 105 and 106 at all t mes while the car is progressing in normal manner along the hatchway 2 in either direction, and' so as to adapt the system to elevators provided with leveling or gradual stopping and starting means, the circuit through the relay 103 preferably passes by means of a parallel branch through a. set of contacts 107 and 108, these. contacts heilig normally closed by operation of relay connectedin parallel wth the elevator hoisting motor armature H. WVith this'arrangement'it will be obvious that the 'circuit through the relay 103 will be-.closed by means of this branchen-cuit just referred to so long as the hosting motor armature H remains energized, andv irrespective of any 'movement imparted tothe operators control lever 6 for the purpose of bringing the same to the neutral position as a preparatory measure to stopping-the elevator. 1

With lcontrol means arranged as just de` scribed it will be evident that, as the elevator approaches a floor where a stop is to be made. as for example, the floor at which the doors 28 and- 29 are located, the throwing of the elevator operators control lever 6 to the neutral position .will have no etl'cct upon the continuedenergization ofy the relay 103 cxcept4 to shunt the circuit passing therethrough to the branch including the contacts 107 and 108 Afterthe decelerating c`rcuits or other means provided for gradually bringing the motor H to a stop have operated in response to the centering of the control lever 6,A the resultant de-energization of Athe relay 109 permits the contacts 107 and 108 to separate thereby opening the circuitthrough the relay 103 and cle-energizing said relay.

'lhe de-energization of relay 103 which is thus produced functions to close the contacts 112 and 113 upon cach other thereby closing a circuit to the relay 115, this circuit passing as follows: from s-de B of the three phase source of current through conductor 116, conductors 119 and 120, contacts 113 and 112, conductor 121, switch OL (which in the position of the gear 2021s shown is closed), thence through conductor 125 to the relay 115, thence back to side C of the source of current thru the conductor 127. The energization of relay 115 thus produced functions to cause a closing of the directional switches O1, O2 and O3. The closing of the directional contacts O1, O2 and O3 thus eliected, produces an energization of the operating windings of the door operating motor 16. lAs shown herewith by way of illustration, the motor is wound as a three phase alternating current machine. Obviously other types of electr c prime movers may be utilized. 'lhe energization of the door operating motor 16 thus brought about causes a commencement of the opening movement ot' the elevator gate, and also, through the mechanical connections heretofore described, a corresponding movement of the hatchway doors 28 and 29. N ow as the rotation of motor 16 brings the gear 20 to the predetermined point in the door-opcn'ng n'ioven'ient, the contacts CIJ are moved to closed position by action of the cam 24 previously described. The closing of the contacts CL thus brought about closes a circuit to energize the relay 140, this circuit passing as follows: from side C of the line through conductor 127, relay 110, conductor 14:1, swtch CL, conductors 1-12 and 119 back to side B of the line. The energization of relay 140 thus produced serves to close the normally open contacts 140".

Now, as the continuing opening movement of the doors in response to the cnergization 'of the door operating motor 16 brings the cam 24 on gear 20 into position to open the contacts UL, this opening of the said contacts causes an opening of the circuit passing therethrough to the door opening relay 115, thereby cle-energizing the said relay. The de-energization of this relay 115 causes a dropping out ot' the directional contacts 01, O2 and O3, thereby (le-energizing the motor windings. y the motor, however, does not follow because of the momentum gathered by the. rotating parts of the motor while operating. 'lhis momentum is suiicient to carry the elevator gate and associated. hatch'way doors 28 and 29 to their full open positions.

Immediate stripping of- .a return 4of 'the circuit through the relay 103.

The energization of relay 103 which is thus elected ermitsv the contacts 112 and- 113 to openv an the contacts 113 and 114 to resume their normally closed condition. The closing of the contacts 113 and 114 thus brought about functions to complete the circuit passing. through theA previously closed contacts 140" to the door closing relay 155. The

completion of this circuit and the consequent energization of the relay 155 causesA a closing of the directional contacts C1, C2 and C3, thereby energizing the motor windings to causerotation of the motor 16 in the reverse direction to that previously produced. The resulting rotation of the motor 16 causes the elevator gate and the associated doors to commence their movements toward closed position, and incidentally causesa corresponding. rotation of the gear 20. lVhen this rotation has proceeded the predetermined amount necessary to close the con. tacts'OL, the occurrence of this operation' has no immediate effect upon the circuit passing therethrough since the said circuit remains open at the contacts 112 and 1 13 as previously pointed out. The further rotation of the motor 16 and corresponding rotation of the gear 2O causes, after the predetermined movement, an opening of the contacts CL. This opening of the contacts CL 'breaks the circuit to the relay 140, thereby opening the contacts 140B. This opening of the contacts 14:0B breaks the circuit to the relay 155, as is plainly evident from the diagramof Figure 5 thereby permitting the directional switches C1, C2 and C3 to resume the open position, thereby breaking the path of -current to the motor 16 which has heretofore passed through the contacts C1, C2 and C3.

The remaining portion ofthe door closing movement is assisted considerably by the rovision of the weight 90attached to the liar 91 secured to the toggle lever 32 in the manner shown in Figure 1. As shown in this figure the disposition of the wei ht is such as to tend to bring the toggle evers back to their horizontally aligned positions, thereby tending to bring the doors 2S and i 29 to their fully closed positions.

The conditions last described prevail until4 the control lever 6 is again manipulated for the urpose of stopping the car at a succeedingv landing. When this occurs the cycle o operations heretofore carried through is again inaugurated.

The above specification and the annexed drawings are to be considered only as illusmoving vsaid'channel-shaped member and gate in unison, and means Iconnecting` with said landing door for vmoving said door in unison with said gate, said means comprising a' door actuating lever and a. supporting pin therefor on said door, a roller adapted to be engaged by said channel-shaped meniber and mounted to swing about said supporting pin, and a bell-crank connecting said roller and' lever to produce corresponding swinging movements of said roller and lever about said supporting pin, the swinging of said bell-crank and lever causing a corresponding sliding movement of said door.

2. In combination with an elevator gate and a landing door, a member projecting outwardly from said gate and movable therewith, meansA Onthe elevator for opening said gate, vand means for moving said landing door in unison with said gate comprising a door actuating lever, means on said door for supporting said lever,.a bell-crank secured to said supporting means and to said lever whereby movement 'of said bell-crank aboutv said supporting means produces a corresponding movement of said lever and a resultant opening Amovement of said door, and Ameans for imparting the motion oisaid gate member to said bell-crank.

3. -In combination with an elevator gate,

'and a landing-door, a member projecting outwardly from said -gate and movable therewith, means on the elevator for opening said gate, and means for moving said landing door in unison with said gate coinprising a bell-crank,means on said door for supporting said bell-crank, said Ameans also serving as the 'driving connection bctween saidv bell-crank and said door` and said outwardly rojecting member serving to swing said be l-crank about its supporting means in response to-the operation of said gate opening means. p

4. In combination with an elevator gate and a landing door, a member proje ting outwardly from v said gate and `movable therewith, means on thc elevator for opening said gate, and means for moving said landing door in unison with said gate comprising a lever and means en said door for supporting said lever, said ineansalso serving as the driving connection'between said lever and said door, and said outwardly lever about its supporting means in response to the operation of said gate, opening means.-

v5. In combination with an elevator gate ali'd a landing door, a member projecting outwardly from said gate and movable with said gate, means on the elevator for opening said gate, 1and means for moving said landing door in unison with said gate comprising alever pivotally Connected to `said landing door anda member att-ached to said lever and adapted to serve as the driving connection between the` outwardly projecting member on the elevator and said pivotally' connected lever on the landing door, said outwardly projecting member operating to swiner said lever in response to the operation of: said gate opening means.

6.111 combination with an elevator gate anda landing door, a member projecting outwardly from 'said gate and movable therewith, means on the elevator for opening said gate, and means for moving said landing door in unison with said gate com-- prising aL lever having a pivotal connection with said landing door whereby swinging movement of said lever causes proportionate opening movement of said landing door, a motion transmitting member associated with said lever in proximity to said pivotal connection, and means for causing the outwardly projecting member on the elevator to engage said motion transmitting member to swmg said lever about said pivotal connection in response to the operation of said gate opening means.

7. In combination with an eleva-tor gate and a landing door, a member projecting outwardly from said Vgate and movable therewith, means on the elevator for opening said gate, and means for moving said landing door in unison with said gate com- ,prlsmg a lever and means on said door for supporting said lever, said means also serving as the drivingfconnection between said lever and said door, and" said outwardly projecting memberserving to' swing said lever about its suppqrting" means in response to the operationof said gate opening means, and means for preventing anyengagement between said outwardly projecting member on the elevator and said motion trans mittingmember associated with the landing door until the operation of said gate opening means is inaugurated.

8.- In combination with an .elevator gate and a landing door, a member projecting outwardly from said gate and movable therewith, means on the elevator for opening said gate, and means for moving said landing door'in unison with said gate co m prising a lever having a pivotal connection with said landing door whereby swinging movement of said lever causes proportionate openingA movement of said landing door,`a motion transmitting member associated with said lever in proximity to said pivotal connection, and means for causing the outwardly. projecting member on the elevator to engage said motion transmitting member to swing said lever about said pivotal connection in response `to thev operation otsaid gate opening means, and means for preventing any engagement between said outwardly vprojecting member on the elevator and said motion transmitting member on the landing door during the normal passage of the elevator past said landing door.

Signed at Hobokemi in the county' of Hudson and State of New Jersey this 14th day of December, A. D. 1927.

HAROLD W. 'SHONNARD. 

